Experience the Joy of St. Martin’s Day with Czech Traditions and Exquisite Wines!

Celebrating Young Wine on St. Martin’s Day

On November 11, it is customary to roast fattened geese, and at precisely 11:11 AM, the first bottles of young wine are uncorked. St. Martin wines are known for their freshness and youth, having aged for only a few weeks. These wines are typically quite light and have a lower alcohol content. Join in on the festivities and savor the best that this year’s harvest has to offer!

The St. Martin wines signify the debut of the new vintage, presenting vibrant and fruity flavors that have developed their own unique character in a short maturation period. To qualify as St. Martin wine, it must originate from the Czech Republic, made from specific grape varieties such as Müller Thurgau, Roter Veltliner, Moravian Muscat, Blauer Portugieser, Svatovavřinecké (St. Laurent), and Zweigeltrebe. Additionally, it must pass an assessment by an independent committee that evaluates its appearance, aroma, flavor, and overall quality through blind tasting.

If you pick up a bottle with the St. Martin label, you can rest assured that you are enjoying high-quality young wine sourced from regions such as South Moravia, Mělnicko, or other areas in Central and Northern Bohemia.

The St. Martin Wine Tasting Kickoff

The Czech winemaking association, known as the Wine Fund (Vinařský Fond), is gearing up to host the largest St. Martin wine tasting in the Czech Republic on November 11 at 11 AM at Náměstí Svobody square in Brno. This awaited event typically showcases 100 different samples of St. Martin wines from an array of 100 various winemakers. In addition, expect numerous other tastings, including celebrations and processions throughout the Czech Republic that honor St. Martin’s Day. Notably, tasting events take place at venues such as the Prague Botanical Garden, Český Krumlov, and Jihlava.

Dining on St. Martin’s Day

Almost every restaurant will feature a unique St. Martin’s Day menu around mid-November. What’s included in this special offering? Following a centuries-old tradition, geese are roasted in the autumn months, fresh cabbage is prepared, and beverages like wine or beer flow freely. Modern restaurants and pubs still adhere to these time-honored ingredients. Patrons typically begin their meal with liver pâté, followed by a hearty broth with liver dumplings and noodles—often simmered overnight. The main attraction is a delicious roasted goose served with red or white cabbage and dumplings. As for drinks, diners can opt for St. Martin wines or select from a variety of beer specials. Recently, breweries have been striving to outshine one another, brewing the ultimate special for the St. Martin holiday table. So, cheers to a delightful culinary experience!

If you are interested in trying your hand at roasting a goose for St. Martin’s Day, don’t miss our recipe.

Where to Enjoy St. Martin’s Day Menus? Czech Specials Restaurants!

Restaurants in Prague

• Restaurant Sezóna (November 8 – 11): Indulge in a festive menu crafted by chef Martin Tamel, featuring goose liver terrine complemented by spicy onion, pear, and chili chutney, as well as a quarter of young goose served with apples, thyme, and three styles of cabbage alongside a trio of dumplings.
• Restaurant Obecní dům: Enjoy a St. Martin’s brunch highlighted by traditional goose soup (kaldoun), duck roulade stuffed with goose liver, and delightful treats such as St. Martin’s croissants and homemade goose ice cream.
• Malostranská beseda: Dine on a menu that includes smoked duck breast paired with blackberry reduction, red Swiss chard, cherry tomatoes, and frisée salad.
• PUOR Restaurant Kulaťák (November 7–11)
• SOU100 Žižkov (November 8–11)

Wining and Dining Across the Country

• Restaurant Narpa in Lány: Savor traditional St. Martin’s duck, paired perfectly with young wines from the Nechory winery.
• Hostinec U Hubálků: Experience a St. Martin’s buffet featuring over 20 varieties of young wines complemented by a complete menu that includes appetizer, soup, and dessert.
• Angusfarm Soběsuky near Pilsen (November 8–11)
• Pivnice Na Štokách in Vysočina: Enjoy goose soup infused with butter, confit goose legs, and potato pancakes (lokše) filled with goose liver.
• Usedlost pod Vinohrady (November 8–10): Immerse yourself in an authentic St. Martin’s atmosphere with a special menu ranging from softly baked goose liver to traditional confit goose leg served alongside red and white cabbage and dumplings.
• Grandhotel Pupp in Karlovy Vary: Devour a goose-centric menu paired with the finest wines.
• Vila Fitz in Pilsen: Relish dishes such as duck pâté in red wine, homemade goose soup with noodles and root vegetables, confit goose leg, red cabbage with cranberries, and a delectable pear tart featuring cloves and meringue for dessert.
• Restaurant Na Kraji lesa
• Visit the restaurant and café on T.G. Masaryka Square in Nový Bohumín, where the St. Martin’s menu is accompanied by lively music performances on the violin and djembe, alongside enticing goose dishes, St. Martin’s wines, and a selection of beers.

Gastronomic Treats Nationwide

At Narpa Restaurant in Lány, anticipate traditional St. Martin’s duck paired with young wines sourced from the Nechory winery. Alternatively, stop by Guesthouse U Hubálků, where a St. Martin’s buffet awaits on November 11, offering over 20 unique young wines and an extensive menu complete with starter, soup, and dessert. You can relish goose specialties at Angusfarm Soběsuky near Pilsen (November 8–11).

For visitors to Karlovy Vary, the gastronomic experience at Grandhotel Pupp is unmissable, where various restaurants, including Malá dvorana, Grandrestaurant, and Becher’s Bar, feature a menu focused on goose dishes paired with suitably selected wines throughout November.

At Na Štokách pub in Vysočina, delight in goose soup enriched with butter, confit goose legs, and potato pancakes (lokše) stuffed with goose liver.

For an authentic St. Martin’s experience, visit Homestead pod Vinohrady from November 8–10. Here, the special menu includes everything from lightly sautéed goose liver to traditional confit goose leg, served with red and white cabbage and dumplings. Complete your experience with starters, comforting soups, and sweet treats.

Over at the Restaurant and café on T.G. Masaryka Square in Nový Bohumín, enjoy your meal accompanied by live music, including violin performances and djembe rhythms, complementing goose dishes, St. Martin’s wines, and a selection of craft beers.

At the stylish Vila Fitz, St. Martin’s culinary delights will be available from November 10 to 16. The carefully crafted menu features duck pâté in red wine, homemade goose soup with traditional noodles and root vegetables, confit goose leg, red cabbage with cranberries, and a delectable pear tart with clove and meringue as dessert.

The same dates witness festivities at Restaurant Na Kraji lesa, where the St. Martin’s banquet is a true gourmet affair. Look forward to specialties such as goose rillettes, pâtés, kaldoun, confit legs, smoked goose breast, and tender shredded goose meat.

Celebrations in Markets, Galleries, Castles, or Underground Venues

City markets, too, have their share of festivities. In Prague, you can attend the St. Martin’s Day celebrations at the Náplavka market on Rašín’s Embankment on November 8 from 10 AM. Sample young wines crafted by Czech and Moravian winemakers, enjoy roast geese, and other exquisite delicacies from this year’s harvest. The event will be enlivened by live music featuring dulcimer melodies or upbeat swing rhythms.

In Kutná Hora in Central Bohemia, the St. Martin’s Feast will unfold on November 8 at the Monastery of St. Ursula. What awaits you? A rich assortment from renowned winemakers in Bohemia and Moravia, featuring, naturally, young wines from local producers in the Kolín and Kutná Hora regions, paired with a modern culinary approach emphasizing local ingredients.

A folk fair, accompanied by dulcimer tunes, invites visitors to Zbiroh Chateau. The St. Martin’s Day celebration here takes place on November 7-9, featuring appearances by St. Martin himself on horseback.

Traditional St. Martin festivities will also be held in Mikulov (from November 7-15), Lednice (on November 15, at the Chateau Riding Hall), Znojmo (on November 8), and in the fascinating maze of historic wine cellars in the Valtice Underground (on November 15) in South Moravia.

Wine Festival and St.Martin in Český Krumlov (November 11 – 16, 2025)